Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I will take the opportunity to refute the Deputy's assertion that I was less than forthright about the changes that were impending at the time of the meeting. The Deputy referenced the fact that all of society knew there were going to be changes and that there was a particular direction of travel. However, that direction of travel was not confirmed to me by the CMO. As the Deputy is aware, the CMO and the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, released their final recommendation yesterday. It was yesterday evening that documentation came to us. There was an indication earlier that changes were afoot. I had discussed the matter with the Minister for Health but the final recommendation did not take place until further updated data were reviewed. Those data have been reviewed and, as a consequence of that, the decision was made.

It is, might I say, a NPHET decision. The changes were made on foot of the recommendation of the CMO and NPHET, who have guided the school sector throughout the pandemic, as they have wider society. It is not my decision as Minister for Education but it is my decision to accept the advices of the CMO and NPHET.

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